1990 1st Place: Nut Crescents

60 Servings

2 c Unsalted butter (or margarine), Softened
6 T Confectioners' sugar
2 Egg yolks
4 c Flour, sifted before
Measuring
1 c Ground (or finely), Crushed
Almonds, pecans or walnuts
Topping
2 Egg whites
1 c Ground (or finely), Crushed
Almonds, pecans or walnuts
1/2 c Granulated sugar
Confectioners' sugar for
Sprinkling

Preparation time: 45 minutes Cooking time: 10 to 12 minutes

1. Cream butter and confectioners' sugar in large mixer bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks. Beat in flour and 1 c ground nuts until mixed. (Dough can be refrigerated up to several days; soften slightly before shaping cookies.)

2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Have ungreased baking sheets ready.

3. For topping, beat egg whites lightly with fork in shallow dish until frothy.
Mix 1 cup nuts and granulated sugar in separate shallow dish.

4. Roll a generous teaspoon of the dough in the palm of your hands into a crescent shape. Dip top of crescent in egg white and then into nut- sugar mixture.
Place crescents on baking sheets about 1 inch apart. Bake until bottoms are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on pan a few minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Sprinkle lightly with confectioners' sugar before serving.